The LuLac Edition #2834, February 10th, 2015

HANGING WITH "THE MAYOR"

Here is a photo of Evie Refalko McNulty and Jim. Two things that I always thought Jim deserves credit for, one is of course being a consummate political wise man and the second is when you get married later in life, "go young"!!) (Photo: Facebook)

The Mayor and I at one of the blogfest events. (Photo: LuLac archives).

In my life, I have often compared Former Mayor of Scranton Jim McNulty to members of the famed WARM Sensational 7. As a youngster I followed the guys at WARM and Mr. McNulty. Through some very kind circumstances, I became friends and even worked for and with members of that stored WARM staff. And I also became friends with James Barrett McNulty. I had seen him as a member of the Communications and Public Relations community but never  got the chance to speak with him at length until years later. At our first lunch meeting at La troteria I’m afraid I might have freaked him out a bit. Like a crazed fan, I started telling him the color of his campaign signs for County Commissioner and Mayor of Scranton. When I started to describe the fonts, I can see he was starting to get a little nervous. By the time we discussed his “It’s Mayor McNulty” song used in the 1989 Democratic primary, he knew I was either going to have lunch with him or he was going to be taken hostage. We had a great lunch.
During the times we spoke and went over campaigns, it was like he was my long lost political geek brother. Through the years, The Mayor attended many of the blog events and with great pride I must say that he has been one of LuLac’s greatest boosters.
Mayor McNulty is turning 70 later this month and his friends are having a birthday party for him. Now if you’ve never been to a McNulty party, well then you haven’t been to a party. On February 27th, McNulty’s birthday there will be a community celebration at the Radison. Here’s a story that was on Facebook regarding the event. Mrs. LuLac and I will be there, hope you will too.

The following is the article that Terri Bonafoniti wrote in the Times Tribune.

Celebrating with Mayor McNulty

Former Scranton Mayor James Barrett McNulty will be 70 on Feb. 27, and he’s planning to celebrate with as many of his friends as possible.
Those friends are represented by a committee that includes, honorary chairmen U.S. Sen. Bob and Terese Casey, as well as Jimmy Barrett, Brenda Bistocchi, Brian Cali, Tracy Doherty, Eleanor Kerrigan, Todd O’Malley and Chuck Volpe, with an assist from Jim’s wife, Evie Rafalko McNulty, in planning “A Community Celebration of James Barrett McNulty’s 70th Birthday,” which is both a party, and a fundraiser.
Jim is battling late stage colon cancer. As any family fighting the cancer fight knows, there are many expenses beyond what insurance covers.
Event organizers wanted to help raise funds to defray treatments costs.
But Jim, Scranton’s mayor of hope, wants an upbeat gathering with all the people who have been with him during his life and political career.
So, anyone who wishes to attend the party on Friday night, Feb. 27, at the Radisson at Lackawanna Station hotel will be admitted by a birthday card containing just wishes, and/or including any monetary gifts they have to help with treatment expenses.
Once inside the 6 to 9 p.m. event, Jim and his friends will enjoy hors d’oeuvres, appetizers and an open bar. There will be dancing to Kenny McGraw’s Brass & Ivory Orchestra, which is poised to add songs from Jim’s campaign days including “Rocky” and “The Best of Times” to its play list. Ever witty, eloquent and knowledgeable, Jim, who has a memory like a steel trap, will probably share some reminiscences and thoughts, as may some of his supporters — and there may be a video.
The selection of the Radisson is special to Jim, who was mayor when the former train station opened as a hotel on New Year’s Eve, 1983. Jim was joined by his friend, then bishop of Scranton, the late Cardinal John J. O’Connor, in cutting the ribbon.
While he only served one term as mayor, (1982-86) James Barrett McNulty, a lifelong Scranton enthusiast and ambassador, left his mark on the city from his days as Deputy Mayor in Mayor Gene Peters’ administration, to his years as a talk show host and political consultant.
Jim always emphasizes the positive, even through his illness, says Lackawanna County’s Recorder of Deeds, Evie, who married him in 1991, adding that Jim is looking forward to partying with his friends on his birthday.
Evie also wanted to set the record straight on two things. First she is not 70, and on the contrary “much” younger than her husband. And, she shares in his hopeful attitude. The day after the party, “we’ll be planning his 71st,” she said, noting that she’s looking at having it on Scranton’s “showmobile which he got as deputy mayor.” It will, Evie said, be second only to the “highlight of his life -- his wedding.”
Meanwhile Jim’s having his 70th his way,
Thanks to a group led by Todd and Chuck, who are seeking sponsors to underwrite the admission by birthday card event. For details on underwriting and sponsorship, as well as donating to a fund being set up, call Todd’s office at 570-344-2667.